With Round-up of Band That Has Been Operating Extensively in West Virginia
Washington Authorities Breathe Easier.

Nearly Thousand Dollars in Spurious Coin Seized

Ten alleged counterfeiters, alleged to have been operating extensively in West Virginia, have
been rounded up by the secret service men of the treasury department, and are now awaiting trial
in Huntington. In the socalled "gang," whose alleged operations escaped the vigilance of the
West Virginia police, are Mrs. M. M. Leonard and Mrs. Ester Foalden, two women whom the
secret service men declare are the leading figures and the inspiration for the daring series of
counterfeits.

Charles K. Wright, operator for the secret service bureau of the the [sic] treasury department, was
sent to West Virginia more than two weeks ago, when the news first reached Washington that
two suspicious characters had been arrested in the Widemouth section of this county, which
arrests were reported in the Daily Telegraph at this time. Representing himself as one of the
"profession," Wright persuaded Mrs. Foalden that he was a friend who could lend aid, and
declares he elicited from her a confession by which it is believed the entire "gang" will be
convicted.

In commenting on the case Chief John M. Wilde, of the secret service, said:

"It is one of the most remarkable bits of work that we have had for some time. Wright was given
the case when two arrests were made on suspicion, and from that developed a case which has led
to the arrest of what we believe to be the entire counterfeiting gang. With their arrest the
authorities will breathe easier. They had plates which enable them no only to make spurious gold
coins, but paper bills."

Wright's report has been forwarded to the authorities at Washington.

That the two women of the alleged gang should have been arrested first lends an atmosphere of
peculiar interest to the case. Several months ago the police of West Virginia were mystified by
the regular appearance in various districts - particularly the country surrounding Huntington - of
gold $5 pieces so closely imitating the original that they could not be detected, except by experts.
A careful watch was set for those responsible for the influx of the gold pieces, but nothing
resulted until a few weeks ago, when the two women were arrested in a cafe while attempting to
pass one of the coins.

Even the police did not believe that either of the women was connected with the counterfeiting
plot. Hesitating as to the future action, the police telegraphed at Chief Wilkie at Washington who
at once sent Wright.

Wright, on arriving in Huntington, went to the two women and represented himself as a
counterfeiter. Th[r]ough them, according to secret service officials, he ascertained the status of
the case and was given the trail of their husbands, who, it is claimed, were the instigators of the
plan.

Without letting Mrs. Foalden or Mrs. Leonard know of his plan, Wright began a still hunt for the
husbands and after two weeks of trailing arrested them.

The arrested were made in this county and John E. Wilson, M. M. Leonard, and R. R Foalden
were held on charges of counterfeiting. With them were captured J. R. Leonard and R. R.
Foalden, jr., sons of two of the men who are held by the secret service.